4 Telltale Signs of a Rodent Infestation
Rodents in your home can become expensive quickly, as they can damage the wiring, insulation, and wood within your home. Before discussing the signs of a rodent infestation, we must understand what attracts rodents to your home.
What Attracts Rodents To Your Home?
Clutter and Garbage
Clutter and garbage give rodents access to both food and shelter. That’s right, rodents have no issue living in trash. It doesn’t matter whether the mess is inside your home or outside. Rodents will make your trash their home. Be sure to clean up your outside garbage and recycling area, as this can attract rodents when messy.
Food and Water
All rodents are attracted to areas with food and water. They need both to survive. These resources are limited in the wild, so they’ll stick around when they find areas with steady amounts of food and water. Be sure to clean your kitchen and eating areas soon after you’re done, and fix any dripping pipes or leaking sprinkler heads throughout your yard.
Easy Entry Into A Home
Warm shelter gives rodents a place to raise their young and stay safe in the winter. A heated home with access to basements or attics is desirable for rodents. Rats and mice can squeeze through cracks as small as 1/4 an inch. You must seal off any possible entry points to help exclude rodents from your home.
4 Telltale Signs of a Rodent Infestation
Gnaw Marks and Oily Stains
Rodents are dirty. As they chew through your home, rodents will leave oily marks along areas they travel and squeeze through. They also enjoy chewing on wood and wires, leaving behind teeth marks as they go. Not many other animals leave this combo behind, making this a telltale sign of a rodent infestation. These markings can commonly be found in your attic, walls, cabinets, crawl spaces, and foundation if you have rodents near your home.
Feces and Droppings
Rodent droppings range between 1/4 and 1/2 of an inch in length and are often pointed at both ends. New droppings will be shiny and have a putty-like texture. Older droppings will be dry, dusty, and crumble on contact. Handling rodent droppings by hand may spread diseases to you and your family, so please do not touch any droppings you may see. Instead, contact 707 Pest Solutions for professional rodent service.
Urine Smell
Rodent urine has an unmistakable smell. You can easily detect this robust and musky odor if you have a rodent infestation near your home.
Noises and Squeaks
Rodents are nocturnal animals. Listen for their activity at night. You may be able to hear them move about your home.
Rodent Control Service in Humboldt County
The team at 707 Pest Solutions is well-versed in the different species of rodents and understands their unique characteristics and behaviors. We seek to not only remove rodents from your building but also work to prohibit their access back inside after removal. Contact us today if you suspect rodent activity in or near your home.